Andrew Solov made his name on the South Florida sports scene as The Barking Vendor.
He typically restricts his woofing to outdoor venues, but if a Panthers fan asks nicely he'll do a bit of his canine act upon request.
"I believe in customer service," says Solov, 51, of Tamarac. "I'll be working a Panthers game, and a little kid will point to me and say, 'There's the guy that barks.' That's always pretty neat."
Sadly, Solov won't be doing any barking Saturday night at BB&T Center.
Nor will he be selling any overpriced cups of beer.
What should have been Opening Night on the Panthers schedule, a chance to raise the franchise's first-ever Southeast Division championship banner before a sellout crowd, instead sits in the scrap heap among two weeks' worth of games canceled by the NHL lockout.
The Tampa Bay Lightning won't be in Sunrise Saturday night.
Nor will the Panthers, their fans, nor any of the hundreds of arena support staff that typically work hockey nights at the gleaming glass structure.
Sharon the Beer Lady.
Sophia the Bartender.
Andrew the Barking Vendor.
You'd know their faces if you saw them again.
While owners cry poor and players stand firm, you know who really gets squeezed in the process?
The little guy.
Ushers and ticket takers.
Security guards and parking lot attendants.
People like Andrew Solov.
He typically makes $8 an hour (plus tips) at Panthers games, working up to five hours a night at his permanent beer stand on the 100 level.
He also works Marlins games in the spring and summer as well as some Dolphins and Hurricanes games at Sun Life Stadium.
Yet Solov, who started vending 20 years ago at Yankee Stadium, enjoys working Panthers games the most. He's been a fixture at the Sunrise arena since 2007.
